Hal Perry, P.E.I. education minister, offers free rides to Tignish partygoers

P.E.I. Education Minister Hal Perry plans to spend his New Year's Eve driving partygoers in his district.

This is the fifth year that Perry is offering the free service to anyone in the Tignish area who needs a safe ride.

But it's the first year that he has been a cabinet minister while doing so.

"We don't have any local taxi service or any kind of transit service," said Perry. "We are probably the most far rural from the Charlottetown area or any urban area. So we have to rely on family or friends to provide that service.

"So this is something that I want to give back to my community. It is a very important issue. I have the time to do it, I have the want to do it, and there is actually a need to do it."

Perrysaidhe usually gives drives to between 50 and 70 people.

The education minister also offers designated driving throughout the year for weddings or special events in the area.

The rides are free but if people insist on paying, Perry donates the money to charity.

Even though his New Year's Eve will be busy, the minister describes it asone of the best nights of the year.